At my library, we just started our Summer Reading Program on June 10th, and the 22nd was our first event. We spent a couple weeks preparing just for this one event. We had carnival games, a craft, story times, and a story walk. I'm just super grateful we were able to get a bunch of Marines to help us with setting up, as well as with entertaining the kids. We would have had even more things going on, but it was raining all day, so we had to go with Plan B. Next week is a time travel theme, and I'm super excited about it. In theory, we'll have far fewer things to prepare for that event, but I'm sure we'll think of some project that needs doing this week. We have a couple other services in the works right now. I'll be sure to tell all about it if any of them come to fruition.
Last weekend, I found myself with a three day weekend. The air conditioner and internet were still working, so I decided to shirk the laundry and dishes for a day and hang with Rachel. We got groceries, and we checked out the mall in Jacksonville. It's not a bad mall, but it's not a great one, either. We managed to spend some hours there, though, and it surprised both. After being out all day, we went back to her and Davy's place to watch one of my Netflix DVDs and make Mojitos (which were delicious).
This week, I was spending my free mornings trying to get the internet working again. Sometimes the instructions I was told over the phone worked, but mostly they didn't. We scheduled a service guy to come look at our system, but when they called to confirm our appointment, everything was working. So we canceled. And even when our appointment would have happened, everything was still working. Later that night, however, the internet stopped working again. This time for good. I concluded, based on my own experience, that the modem needed exchanging. Yesterday, while I was supervising Marines and small children, Clayton took them modem to the cable store and got us a new one. Now the internet is magically working again, so I'm going to assume that I was right about the modem, and the cable company just doesn't like to admit that they wear out so easily.
Of course in the midst of this crazy week, Clayton did it again. Yup. He dislocated his shoulder. Again. He managed to do it playing football, and his Marines thought it was very lucky that it happened in front of a half dozen Corpsmen. Surely they knew how to fix him up. They sure did. Would they? No, they were about to head out to the field, and couldn't be tied up with paperwork. So while one called an ambulance, the others examined Clayton and discussed how one could fix this particular dislocated shoulder. Even I found this story amusing, since I know how the military works, and I completely get the paperwork thing. Of course, I found out about this entire series of events only after Clayton had been to the hospital, put under, fixed up, and then dropped off by his Marines on our couch with some pain meds and a sling. You can imagine how thrilled I was to learn where "notifying the wife" came in the list of things to do when he gets hurt. Oh well. All is well now. At least, he's only on light duty and not bed ridden or wailing in pain, so I guess that's good enough.
Now, for something completely different. Mothers Day was, of course, in May. This year Clayton and I ordered something a bit unusual. We got them each a Diamond Candle. The concept is this: the company makes completely natural soy wax candles, and they put a ring inside that is worth anything from $10 to $5000. There is no way of knowing which ring you'll get until you've burned the candle. Even burning the candles is pleasant, because they have some really good scents. Anyway, all of this is to say, our moms thought it was pretty neat, and if you're interested in getting one for yourself or a friend, I've got a coupon code that I can share with an unlimited number of people. Just go to diamondcandles.com through my link, and you'll get $5 off each candle you buy. I love unique gift ideas, almost as much as I love things that are on sale, so this sort of thing gets me pretty excited.
So, now you know what we've been up to. Wish us luck, because this next week promises to be only slightly better. Eventually this summer, we'll get a chance to go out and enjoy the relatively mild weather. Maybe. ^_^